PRBI Trumpet - Fall 2016

Trumpet F a l l

Moving Truth into Action

PEACE RIVER BIBLE INSTITUTE

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President’s Message: Waldie Neufeld

President’s Message Change? “. . . conformed to the image of His Son . . .” (Ro 8:29b). Ever wonder how we move truth—what we know— into action? How we grow closer to God? One thing is for sure, the journey will be messy since the heart and its motives are involved. The key of course is growing in our relationship with God Himself.

Isn’t that at the core of the challenge here at PRBI as we work with young people or as all of us sit through church or read our Bibles? The real challenge concerns whether or not I am willing to change or not, grow in my relationship with God or not. If I’m not willing, the students or my Sunday school class for sure will not follow.

Over this school year, my desire is to explore how we move from thought to action, from theory to practice. In this issue I will be looking at the heart, in the winter edition, how our thoughts about 1

Waldie Neufeld

God play into this, and in the spring edition, the possible steps we can take to make theory reality.

The desired undertaking is to move Jesus’ words into action into my everyday life. Jesus held that if we build our metaphorical house on the rock, His words, our being will stand the test of time (Mt 7:24). The challenge of course is taking Jesus at His word and living them out in the everyday.

The authors of the Bible use the “heart” as an image for the engine of our decision-making center of our being. Jesus noted a number of things about the heart that relate to this. He pointed out and asked, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,” etc. (Mt 15:19) and “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?” (Mk 2:8b). The author of Proverbs puts it well, when he stated, “Watch over your heart with all

Moving Truth into Action: The Importance of the Heart diligence, For from it flow the springs of life” (4:23). Dictionaries of both biblical languages define the immaterial use of the word heart to cover the whole inner person, thinking, feeling, and deciding.1 Obviously the heart encompassed one’s entire thought processes, from the brain right to the gut.

The process involves much more than simply putting more information into our heads. Jesus accused the Pharisees and scribes of using improper hermeneutics tied to improper motives, but never of not knowing enough (Mk 7:1-13). So knowledge in and of itself will not bring about change, though very necessary.

Another factor in this whole equation points to the complexities of our heart. Jeremiah and Jesus, to name a few, point out the depth of deceit in our hearts (Je 17:9; Mk 7:15). The author of Hebrews even

identified that “brethren” could have “an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God” (He 3:12).

Ouch! In fact, if we have wickedness in our hearts, God will not hear us (Ps 66:18). The depth of deceit within our hearts reveals that sin begins in the interior (Ja 1:14-15), then expresses itself in action. We tend not to like this because it holds us accountable for what goes on in our hearts. Further, those guilty places of my heart need to be confessed to God (1 Jn 1:9) and others (Ja 5:16) for us to experience God’s grace (1 Th 5:11).

Just when I think I’m back on the road spiritually, the Holy Spirit speaks to my heart and asks, “Really?” As I pay attention to my heart, I am often unnerved by my own duplicity. My conscience seemingly clear, yet in the back of my mind I’m asking, “Why did I just do that?”

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The challenge of course is working through the mess and the motives. We must deal with our deceptive hearts and also deal with the damage done to us by others, making it complex and messy. For this, I need to make sure I’m tied into the rock.

Otherwise I will not become vulnerable, especially because we all tend to be so self-protective. Why should I bother? Well, simply put, I will not fulfill the great commandment and the great commission without growing in my relationship with Jesus.

So what have we learned to this point? Well, if we claim we know ourselves, or others for that matter, we are very self-deceived (1 Co 4:4-5). If we claim we are without sin, that our hearts are good or clean, we are deceived too (Je 17:9; 1 Jn 1:8). From just a cursory look, we begin to see that a journey of growing into conformity with Jesus Christ will take much more than simply telling myself to get with it or learning a bit more. In regard to self-discipline and more knowledge, both are quickly exposed when they meet life on our own efforts.

So, the head gathers the facts, but the heart learns how to live by engaging in life, whether rightly or wrongly. To experience grace then, our hearts need to walk in fellowship with others, having opened our hearts wide to each other (2 Co 6:11-13). 2 We learn best by doing, like getting onto a 3

bicycle. In regard to heart matters, we learn best by being in relationship with God and others. God’s unconditional love of me gained stark reality the day our pastor in Texas said to Sharon and me that he enjoyed being around us. Through him and others, the proposition that God loves me, gained feet and ran!

Let us keep in mind the knowledge, no Christian is without sin and I cannot judge motives, should remind me to step into other people’s lives carefully and treat them with dignity.

There will always be a story and no one is perfect, including myself. I must always remember with students, and others, that the presenting problems often are but a symptom of a much deeper issue. PRBI’s spiritual growth process focuses on the head, heart, and hands. Please pray for us as we are honest about our mess and as we step into their mess. To this spiritual growth process in students, we invite your investment of prayer and finances.

Thank you!

2016-2017 Freshmen

Please pray for the Freshmen Class of 2016–2017

Waldie Neufeld, Ph.D. President Waldie has been at PRBI for 26 years. He enjoys teaching the Gospel of Mark. He and his wife, Sharon, have four adult children.

[1] Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, & Danker; Theological Workbook of the Old Testament.

[2] Henry Cloud & John Townsend, How People Grow (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001), 128.

ENROLLMENT UPDATE

FRESHMEN: 46

UPPERCLASSMEN: 54

PART-TIME: 4

FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT: 101

MEN: 54

WOMEN: 46

From Our Faculty Character ‘We often make the mistake of equating competency with character.’

This sharp insight from Rod Wilson, former president of Regent College, has stuck with me since the clergy conference during which he uttered some years ago. His point was well illustrated by the then-scandalous news that golf champion Tiger Woods had been unfaithful to his wife. The public was shocked, Wilson claimed, that someone with such great success in sports could fail in marriage. It is a societal assumption that tremendous competency in one area of life somehow produces the same sort of character in another.

One would think that this assumption, proven wrong again and again by tragic news of broken trust by public figures, would begin to shake loose. Yet it holds—maybe not in what 5

Scott Butler

you and I think about the moral failure of leaders and celebrities specifically but in how we approach education.

One of the most common answers given by prospective students and their parents about why they would not come to Bible college is because they do not get any closer to a (non-ministry) career. Certainly there are valid and important financial considerations to be made. The underlying assumption, however, is that what matters most— what is of the most tangible value—is competency. If character is a concern, it will follow.

Competency on its own neither guarantees nor produces character. We must consider these two vital elements of our lives as running on parallel tracks with each other. Each is necessary to take us—to take our young people— to where we want to be. Character, as much as competency, must be laid

Competent Character down with labour and precision into a firm and level foundation. It requires an intentional effort on the part of the individual; at PRBI that effort is an intentional part of our vision to disciple.

Yet, maybe the train track metaphor does not capture the importance of character well enough.

A friend of mine was recently in the market for a new vehicle. Before he could buy, though, he had to get rid of his current car and truck. I was interested in the truck and took it for a test drive. He explained in a very upfront manner that the truck needed new brakes and rotors and probably a muffler. Not really a lot of work. The car, on the other hand, had one problem and was going straight to the salvage yard. Its frame was rusted to the core. It had a lot of parts in fine enough shape, but the erosion of one critical aspect made it junk.

A more pointed example comes from the account of the Last Supper, when Jesus’ disciples had no idea who would betray him. John asked Jesus who would do it and then witnessed the dipping of the bread but remained oblivious. Even after Jesus prompted the would-be traitor to do what he was going to do, “...no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him” (Jn 13:28). As the holder of the group’s money box, even as one who pilfered from it (Jn 12:6), Judas appeared competent enough as treasurer to arouse no suspicion, even when imminent betrayal was announced. Judas seemed to be a fine enough treasurer, but his critical character flaw led quickly to Jesus’ death and his own.

Character really does undergird competence. More than run parallel to competence, character is the foundation 6

upon which we can effectively carry out our responsibility in the kingdom of God. That is not to say that character produces or guarantees competence.

I know at least a few preachers who prove that rock-solid integrity does not prevent the occasional dry sermon! As Tiger Woods’ dismal post-affair record serves to illustrate, there is no more destructive force in the ministry of God than a breach of character. The observing world may be stunned at a politician or athlete’s indiscretion, but it is deeply wounded when it occurs in someone who holds spiritual responsibility (see Ro 2:1724). Ironic, though it may be, that our society sometimes scornfully holds Christians to the very standards that it has abandoned, it goes to show that considerations of moral character and integrity still run deep.

Education cannot just be a matter of developing professional or technical skills, it must run deeper.

Imagine purchasing advanced software for a computer with no operating system. Imagine being careful to change oil in a car with a rusted out frame. Education, if it has real value in the kingdom of God, must be based on the assumption that the hard work of character formation is the first and most fundamental step.

Call In preparation for a new course we are offering in the degree-program curriculum called ‘Kingdom Service’ I’ve been doing a lot of reading about what we refer to as ‘the call.’

Typically the call has been thought of as a specific direction from God to go into vocational ministry. Pastors 7

candidating for credentials or a position will often be asked about their sense of call. Traditionally the two endpoints of such calls were overseas missions or pastoral ministry—as a consolation. It does not take long to survey even the most popular of Bible stories, however, to recall that Adam and Eve were called to farm, Abraham was called to move, Moses to politics, and the disciples simply to follow. Indeed, the depiction in Proverbs 31 of a capable wife covers the whole spectrum of life’s activity.

While the term ‘call’ itself can refer to a number of biblical concepts, the one that we have most often associated with professional ministry is actually much more open.

Pastors and missionaries are an important part of the life and expansion of the Church but these are not the only two vocations in the service of the King.

Everyone who calls Christ ‘King’ is also in His employ—no one is excluded. This means that all of Christ’s disciples are custodians not just of local churches or church efforts but anywhere and everywhere the rule of God extends.1 “God is establishing his kingdom on earth,” Gordon T. Smith contends, “as all creation comes under his divine authority. To that end, God calls and enables his children to be his kingdom agents within every sphere of life and society. Each vocation reflects but one means by which God, through word and deed, is accomplishing this.” 2

It is important to note that one’s call will not necessarily be the same as the job he or she has. “For many, the fundamental call of God— their vocation—is fulfilled outside of or alongside gainful employment.” 3 In the same way, a person does not cease

to have vocational responsibilities in the kingdom when he retires or if she switches jobs any more than he or she ceases to be a Christian when those things occur. The call is greater than what we do for an employer at any given time (even if it coincides). It is that function for which our King has created us especially, often intersecting with what brings us greatest joy—that which we need to do.4 It ought not conflict with our career or interests but flow out of us naturally the more we seek to serve others with it.5

Whether this redefinition of the call is new to you or not, it offers a challenge to the way we think about Christian education. Pragmatic thinking tells us that those wanting to become doctors go to medical school, mechanics become apprentices, and pastors go to Bible college. This is true, and there is no doubt whatever that the proper training in each of these disciplines is indispensable. Calling, however, concerns how these vocations are used in the service of God’s kingdom.

Repairing automobiles may be good enough for the owner of the shop, but the owner of the kingdom has a new set of standards for his mechanics. Just beyond the competency to service our

cars, prepare our food, or navigate the law is God’s summons to do so to his glory. As essential as the integrity of the frame to the car is, so is the integrity of the one who is called to maintain it.

Character undergirds every effort we make in the kingdom of God. As those created for and charged with specific roles in that kingdom, we must come to think of character itself as a competency and pursue it as such.

Character is an intangible thing we must value in a tangible way; it is a thing to study, scrutinize, work towards, and establish in a careful and precise way.

PRBI, like no other school I have been part of, recognizes that in God’s kingdom character can and must be pursued alongside technical competency.

Scott Butler Faculty Scott Butler is in his second year as faculty at PRBI. His wife, Jane, works in the PRBI kitchen, as the head cook.

[1] George Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974), 112, 117.

[2] Gordon T. Smith, Courage & Calling (Downers Grove: IVP, 2011), 46; emphasis added.

[3] Smith, 50.

[4] Smith 76; emphasis added.

[5] See also Os Guinness, The Call (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003), 47-51.

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Wilf Johnson Memorial Wilfred entered God’s presence peacefully and eagerly with the anticipation of meeting his Saviour on April 16, 2016, at the age of 89 years.

He leaves his wife, May, of 66 years, and his sons Danny (Brenda), David (Sharon), daughters Annamae (Darren), Carlene (Shane); his sister Dorothy (Cliff ) Hoyme, sister-in-law Florence Johnson, 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and borthers and sisters-inlaw. He was predeceased by his parents Carl and Tora and his brother Leroy.

Wilf grew up in the Meeting Creek, Alberta area where he went to school. Wilf attended PBI in Three Hills, Alberta, and later attended and graduated from PRBI. There he met May Spiden and they were married in 1950.

Wilf and May went to India from 1950 to 1964. They were called to PRBI in 1966 and became President in 1967. Wilf took on the challenge of building up PRBI. The school embarked on building a gym (1969–72) to host conferences and sports events for students, and then in response to an amazing growth in student numbers through the 1970s Wilf helped lead a complete campus upgrade. Through his “hands-on” leadership style, deep devotion to God, and a high level of motivation, there 9

1927 - 2016

wasn’t a community Wilf would not visit to encourage students to attend PRBI. As was written some time ago, “The Johnson era is characterized by the rebuilding of people and complete rebuilding of the campus facility.”

Wilf and May spent from 1966 to1980 on campus and then spent three years at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. Then from 1982 to1988 Wilf represented both schools in his travels through Western Canada.

Wilf went to Edmonton, Alberta, to pastor the Evangelical Free Church in Millwoods until his retirement in 1992.

The culmination of his work saw this community church build a new facility.

Wilf never really retired. He further served as the Western Representative for Christar, which frequently brought him back to PRBI. He became chaplain of the Good Sam RV Club in Camrose, Alberta, and was a frequent guest speaker for the Chinese congregation in Millwoods.

Wilf loved his family and was known to attend all their events. “There wasn’t a prouder grandpa anywhere.”

It was Wilf’s calling to introduce everyone he met to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We have no doubt that the Lord has said, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

President’s Message: Waldie Neufeld

Recommended Reading Of all the textbooks I use, none prompt as much positive feedback from the students as Love Your God With All Your Mind: The Role Of Reason In The Life Of The Soul by J.P. Moreland (NavPress; 2nd Revised, Updated edition, September 4, 2012). Let’s take a look at what the book is about and the reasons students find it so helpful.

Moreland describes his purpose, “Thus in four basic parts, I try to show how and why the mind matters to Christianity, how to develop a mature Christian mind, what such a mind looks like, and how we can guarantee a future for the Christian mind in our churches throughout the world.”1 The book opens by tracing the demise of critical thinking in our culture generally and in our evangelical tradition specifically.

From Matthew 22:37 the author warns to not neglect the soulful development of a Christian mind. To do so will 11

Kim Cairns

result in continued marginalization of Christianity from the cultural centre of influence and power.

From Scripture, Moreland paints a clear picture of what a Christian mind should look like and its role in spiritual transformation. He explains how the mind is critical to the formation of our beliefs and that it plays an active role in seeing, willing, feeling, and desiring.

Beliefs formed in the mind have a direct impact on our character development.

The constant renewal of the mind then, becomes essential in the development of the Christian life.

Moreland admits that not everyone is convinced about intellectual development, so in the second section of the book he identifies some enemies of the Christian mind that become a stumbling block in our spiritual growth.

The value of this section is, not only does he identify common enemies of

the mind but Moreland offers practical solutions for dealing with them.

Becoming convinced that cultivating the Christian mind is worthwhile, Moreland now offers a blueprint of how to pursue one. He suggests the pursuit of five types of virtues, i.e., truth seeking, trust, humility, vigilance, and fidelity to God which can be pursued through systematic study and wellreasoned thinking.

The third section of his book encourages cultivation of the Christian mind so that we can become confident witnesses for Christ. He goes on to offer arguments for the existence of God and the historicity of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. Although the author’s arguments require careful reading, it is clear his goal is not simply to create intellectual academics but useful and well equipped servants in the kingdom of God.

In the final section Moreland outlines how the church can practically promote the cultivation of the Christian mind. As one would expect he begins with the role of leadership in developing critical thinkers, suggesting that the model of the senior pastor needs to be replaced with a plurality of teachers who understand their role as equipping others to do the work of the ministry.

He offers practical suggestions about sermons, church libraries and Christian education which is being woefully neglected in the present day. Many of Moreland’s suggestions go against the grain of today’s church and although we might not adopt all of his ideas they are worth pondering and in most cases implementing.

In keeping with the author’s practical focus, he has also included

appendices with a number of links to resources for developing all aspects of the Christian life. It is also helpful that he has organized them around levels of maturity.

Why do the students find this book so helpful? What causes such a positive response? What Moreland writes rings true with them. He exposes the weak cultural soup they find themselves in and offers a much more substantive option. Moreland doesn’t simply lecture about the antiintellectualism plaguing the church, he offers a biblically sound option that the students find attractive and attainable.

Comments in his book provoke, but his provocation is not simply to create intellectuals in the church. His end goal is to produce effective servants in the kingdom who are not only building up the church, but who equally as well could be influencing the decision makers in our communities. Without saying it overtly, he is offering a calling to be change agents in our culture as we give ourselves to the ongoing process of renewing our minds with the Word of God.

Will we agree with every conclusion that Moreland establishes?

Of course not! I think he would be disappointed if we did as the goal of his book is to produce critical thinkers who can engage at all levels of society.

I highly recommend the book to my students, and feel it is a must read for any and all who want to cultivate the Christian mind.

Kim has served as a member of the PRBI Team since 2009 and as Academic Dean since 2011.

[1] www.jpmoreland.com

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President’s Message: Waldie Neufeld

Athletic Department Many changes have taken place in the athletics department over the last few months. In April I jumped onboard as PRBI’s Athletic Director, in June we launched our new sports team name, and on September 5 we held the Grand Opening ceremony for our new gymnasium and fitness centre!

Four years ago, PRBI’s Leadership Team put the name Ambassadors on the shelf and moved to simply PRBI. Two phenomena were taking place on the playing surface. The teams we played against either referred to us as PRBI and were unaware that we were the Ambassadors, others would refer to us as Ambassadors and not connect that to our being from PRBI. So, it was decided to simplify and go with PRBI for name recognition.

In light of that, with the launch of our new athletics program this fall, the PRBI Leadership Team thought it best to

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Steve McComish

put the simplified name PRBI behind us. We needed a name that spoke to our vision while fitting well as a sports team name. The choice was to go back to Ambassadors or start fresh.

With a new generation for athletics (i.e. new gym, fitness centre, athletics program, and having an Athletic Director on staff ) we opted to start fresh. This new name is drawn from our shortened vision statement which is, “To train believers to become disciple-makers who impact their world for Jesus Christ.” The new logo also incorporates some of the history of PRBI and the Town of Sexsmith as college students used to arrive on the train and, after completing studies, would embark on their mission by train. They were going out to make an IMPACT! When you are in town you can hear the whistle as the train rumbles through town.

With PRBI now including a full service professional fitness centre along with a university sized gymnasium, we are able to build sport-specific training programs and practice plans for our sports teams. While our primary focus will always be to grow in Christlikeness and live that out, our new facility will enable students to increase their physical fitness level, decrease chance of injury, and increase their skill which will give them the opportunity to compete at a higher level on the ice, court, or pitch. This is incredibly exciting for myself, our staff, students, and board members. Having been a student and an athlete at PRBI, this opportunity is something I have long awaited.

The new facility will also be open to the community memberships which give access to the fitness centre and gymnasium drop-in times. The gym itself will be open for rentals which will include league play, tournaments, community use, etc. This gives us an amazing opportunity to interact with those around us in a friendly and fun environment. Many of the community members who will utilize our facilities

are not believers so please pray that our interactions would make an impact for Christ. How amazing it would be to see others come to receive the grace and love of our Lord by stepping into our facility for a workout. Watch for updates in the College News section in the next two Trumpets.

With our new facility and the enhanced focus on increasing the level of competition at which our athletics program operates, we hope to draw more young men and women to play sports and experience the life-changing truth of God’s Word in a new and very real way. I would like to express my gratitude to each of you who have given to this project. It has already, and will continue to make an impact!

If you would like information regarding membership, please email fitness@prbi.edu or check out our website at www.prbi.edu/fitness.

Steve McComish Athletic Director Fitness Centre Manager Steve McComish is in his first year as PRBI’s Athletic Director. He and his wife Amanda are both alumni and enjoy raising 3 young children.

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President’s Message: Waldie Neufeld

Development Message My love for twentieth century history seems to help me pick up PRBI’s Gold Book, which is a book that celebrates the first 40-plus years of PRBI history (1933-1977), and read sections of it nearly every summer. One of themes that stood out to me this year was obedience to God even in the midst of uncertainty. Here are a few men and women who helped uncover this theme for me: •

•

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Archie Ruark was obedient in the midst of uncertainty to come be the principal of PRBI in 1934 even though the year before there were only two full-time students.

Lee & Gladys Warren were obedient in the midst of uncertainty in 1935 to give their land to Walter and Archie to relocate PRBI to Sexsmith after just meeting them!

•

•

Jeremy Johnston

Wilf and May Johnson were obedient in the midst of uncertainty in 1965 to stay home from the mission field so that Wilf could be the principal of a struggling school of just 13 students.

Mr. Oswald Throness was obedient in the midst of uncertainty to lead the board through a gym building project in the 1960s even when there was talk of closing the school.

Needless to say we have now experienced the blessings of these men and women’s obedience in the midst of uncertainty, but at the time none of them knew how it was going to turn out, but they had faith. Of course, Archie and Wilf’s moves to the Peace Country could have been all for not. Lee’s land could have been squandered, and Oswald could have lost his farm since he co-

signed on the gym loan. But each of these men and women had faith that what they were doing was what God wanted them to do, just like Noah with the ark, Abraham with Issac on the alter, and ultimately Jesus on the cross.

When I think of this kind of obedience, the current PRBI board does comes to mind. You see, even in the midst of uncertainty related to our declining student numbers, which have been lower than expected (around 100), what has impressed me is that the board has never wavered. They have been confident all along that PRBI should remain unchanged. Just like past boards, the reality remains the same, if we look solely at numbers, PRBI would have been closed long ago.

With that said, remaining unchanged means that we are committed to Biblebased theological training for the head, mentoring for the heart, and leadership opportunities for the hands which in turn produces high quality, skilled ministry leaders who have the character to meet the demands of reality.

Of course we do not know the future, but we do have faith that PRBI will remain and become an even more important part in the Canadian church going forward. Why I say this is that one trend we are starting to see is that denominations are starting to pay more attention to PRBI and our students. The reality is that denominations are not seeing many students enroll in their college’s theological programs, so they are looking to our students to lead their churches. The question being asked is, “Will there be enough theologically trained people to lead our churches when the baby boomers move from the pulpit, to the board table and beyond?”

With that in mind, I would like to invite you to participate with us financially in the theological training of young people — the young people who will lead the next generation. Not only would you be investing in the life of a student, but you would be making an investment into Canada’s future church. As you see in the Get Involved section below, there are many ways to partner with us. Donations can be given online at www.prbi.edu/give, by phone 780-569-3962, or mail addressed to PO Box 99, Sexsmith, AB, T0H 3C0.

Thank you for your partnership with us.

Jeremy Johnston Director of Development Jeremy (g ‘09) has been on staff at PRBI since 2009. He and his wife Leah have two young children, Jasper and Silas.

GET INVOLVED LEGACY GIVING MONTHLY GIVING SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES BE A PRAYER PARTNER REFER A STUDENT 16

Financial Update Peace River Bible Institute Statement of Operations and Budget July 2015 - June 2016 (UNAUDITED) Revenue

nt Revenue Student

Annual Budget

% of Budget To Date

978,478

1,010,500

97%

55,907

47,000

119%

202,688

225,020

90%

629,061 78,451 707,512

720,000

98%

Total Revenue

1,944,585

2,002,520

97%

Expenses

Expenses To Date

ral Income Sales

Fees & Other Programs

Income To Date

& Non-Program Fees & Services

ence Rental Rental

Income

ion - Undesignated Donations

- Undesignated - Designated Total Donations

ion - Designated Donations

Annual Budget

% of Budget To Date

mics

Academics

420,636

423,857

99%

nt Life

Student Life

281,254

272,222

103%

248,348

249,925

99%

Services Food

Services

opment

Promotion & Development

320,818

318,309

101%

ssions

Admissions

159,550

160,159

100%

500,882

521,667

96%

127,627

131,132

97%

nistrationAdministration

enance

Facilities & Maintenance

nt Aid

Special Project

nt Aid

s

1,415

-

Student Aid

13,100

-

Others

11,182

-

Total Expenses Net Income (Loss) Excludes Amortization Expense

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2,084,812 (140,227)

2,077,271 (74,751)

100%

PRBI Team Members 2016-2017 Back Row: Nolan Dyck, Jason Gayoway, David Groff, Steve McComish, Darrel Schmidt, John Bell, Shane Dell, Jill Gayoway Middle Row: Alex Gao, Cornie Giesbrecht, Courtney MacLellan, Megan Plante, Adeline Willems, Anne Laursen, Shelley Martindale, Kathryn Wood Front Row: Jane Butler, Brody Klassen, Colleen Hiebert, Kim Cairns, Waldie Neufeld, Brad Cowie, Scott Butler, Jeremy Johnston Missing from Photo: Darrell Gerber (medical leave)

Moving In and Moving On Welcome Jane Butler (Head Cook), Steve McComish (Athletic Director/ Fitness Centre Manager), and Courtney MacLellan (Communications & Media Coordinator) to the PRBI Team.

Thank you Emma Hanet, Ruth Willis, Rebekah Brisbin, and Sharon Neufeld for your excellent service on the PRBI Team.

God bless you as you continue to serve Him elsewhere.

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President’s Message: Waldie Neufeld

Student Spotlight Learning isn’t an easy thing. It takes risk, work, effort, failure, and perseverance.

My last year at PRBI was a tremendous time of learning two very important lessons. I think a part of that was because I came back for my second year of college as a married student. I was in a care group for married students, had my own space, and unlike my first year, I had a wife to come alongside me. All of this really rocked my world. The first lesson that stands out for me was when I came to realize that I could trust my care group and others around me for help in my times of need.

It was near the end of the year when I decided to go out on a limb and talk to my care group about some philosophical questions I had regarding my Christian faith. They were questions that had been bothering me for the last year or so, but I hadn’t found any answers in the research I had 21

Brett Surbey

done. Opening up to them was hard because of the nature of the subject I was addressing. I had questions about my faith that weren’t easy to answer.

As I was thinking critically about what I believe in it seemed like I had such a small faith compared to those around me. However, when I opened up about my problems my care group greeted me with open arms and even gave me a solution. My care leader advised me to go and speak with one professor in particular about my anxieties and said that he would check in with me to make sure I actually spoke with him. I decided to take his advice and I went and discussed the nagging questions that I just couldn’t seem to get out of my mind.

As if by some miracle, after struggling with these painful reservations for over a year, they were answered and I gained the peace I had been longing for.

I trusted the body of Christ around me

Two Important Lessons for strength and encouragement when I was at my weakest. I learned, and will forever remember, that I am not alone in my journey. God and His body are with me until the end of this age and forevermore.

The second lesson was that I began to understand that God not only sanctifies me to be more Christlike in my every day, but as His child He helps me to grow in my abilities and my gifts. In this specific case, I grew in the areas of pastoral ministry such as discipleship, preaching, and the study of the Word. Many of my classes like Church Discipleship Strategies, Pastoral Ministry I, and Advanced Exegesis gave me the building blocks I needed to head into the ministry that I felt God had called me to two years prior to attending Bible college. I began to see how great and sovereign my Father is.

He not only called me into ministry but

He also “fanned into flame” the gifts that I needed to be successful within that ministry and wherever else He may take me and my wife.

Looking back on the lessons I learned last year excites me for the upcoming year. This year I will be a part of the student leadership team in the academic department. Here I will be able to learn the value of servant leadership and develop my leadership skills.

In closing, PRBI has been and will continue to be a phenomenal place of learning and growth both intellectually and spiritually. This is a place that God will use for years to come to teach His body and grow them up into the likeness of His Son. Brett Surbey is a third year student in the Pastoral Program. Brett and his wife, Kayleigh, have been married two years.

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College News

Men’s Dorm

Campus Upgrades

GYM

The Grand Opening ceremony for the Gymnasium and Fitness Centre on September 5 was a great time of celebration and thanks to God for His provision. Not only were our students astounded by how it turned out, the town of Sexsmith was thrilled.

To date we still need approximately $700,000 to complete the gym project. We have a mortgage to cover the bills in the interim, but we are praying that the money will come.

Roof Shingles

For more information on how to purchase a membership for the Fitness Centre, go to our website at www.prbi.edu/fitness.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COMING TO A TOWN NEAR YOU!

Our Admissions Team would love an opportunity to share about PRBI with your church or group. Contact admissions@prbi.edu or 1-800-959-7724.

Sept 30–Oct 9 Visiting Edmonton and area Oct 14–16 DTP Conference - Grande Prairie, AB Nov 1–9 Saskatchewan Tour with

“See Your Future” – Saskatoon & Regina Nov 11–12 CYWC Kelowna, BC 23

Anne Laursen

Nolan Dyck

This year we have no changes to our Board of Directors personnel wise. That said, after 10 years of being chair, Les Derksen has stepped down but will remain on the Board of Directors. Dennis Landis has taken on the chair position, Graham Plett and Travis Toews remain vice chair and secretary treasurer respectively. Directors are as follows: (top left) Abe Braun, Les Derksen, Ruth Enns, Don Warkentin, Dennis Landis, Travis Toews, Richard Smith, and Graham Plett. May the Lord bless their leadership through another year.

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SUMMER MISSION TEAM

The PRBI Mission team, Kat, Lauren, Christa-Lee, Nathan, and Josh headed to the Middle East this past May for a monthlong mission experience with Christar. Our students worked with a women’s centre for Syrian refugees, taught ESL, shadowed missionaries, and met with local pastors.

An exciting thing that God orchestrated was our team randomly meeting up with our former Graphic Artist, Emma Hanet, while they were on a lay-over in Paris. As is turned out, Emma was sight-seeing and they simply ran into each other. This was a joyous time for all involved.

The PRBI mission team served in a refugee centre. They were involved in fitness, art, and English classes, as well building a children’s playground.

Thank you to all who supported this team going out.

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Alumni & Staff News BIRTHS

BROWN, Josef (g ’10) & Ashley (Giesbrecht, g ‘10) were married on May 10, 2014. We spent our first summer at David Thompson Bible Camp with Jospef being the Director. We spent the following year working in Fairview, AB. From there we moved to Grande Prairie, AB, so Jospef could pursue his Bachelor of Education at GPRC. On March 30, 2016, we welcomed our daughter Holly Marie into the world! We continue to trust God for His grace and provision in our lives as we embark on the exciting journey of parenthood. Our plans for fall are a move to Edmonton to continue Jospef’s schooling.

GAO, Alex (Staff ‘15-Present) & Carissa (Clendining, g ‘15) with big sister Brooke are happy to welcome Rylan James Chenyang into our family. He was born April 14, 2016, and is a happy little boy, always ready with a smile or a giggle. Our family is currently living in Sexsmith where Alex is working at PRBI. We moved here in 2014 for Carissa to finish the last year of her Bachelor of Biblical Studies, which she completed in 2015. Around the same time Alex was hired to work in the business office. We are very happy with our life here, and the community God has allowed us to be a part of.

UPDATES

GERBER, Darrell (Staff ‘95-present, Medical Leave) At the beginning of July I received some very unexpected news following my CT scan.

The doctor reported “we are not seeing any evidence of cancer” in the liver. This was very strange news, since the last CT had not changed much from the previous one. I waited for the August blood work to confirm significant improvement. Though there are still issues in my blood, my liver enzymes are normal. In talking with my doctor today (Aug. 5), I asked what it all means. He responded that although they will not use the word “cured”, there is no visible cancer activity. In other cancers they might use the word remission, but that has not been a term used in metastatic lung cancer. Suffice it to say the LORD has done amazing things with this drug I have been on. Although I would like to wait for further confirmation from the next scan in October, about the time you will be reading this, I will praise the Lord for this new facet of the journey with cancer.

Rejoice with us, and please continue to pray for complete healing. My energy levels remain low, which definitely now appears to mainly be due to the drug. There are discussions with the drug company on how to proceed from here on. Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised.

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HANET, Emma (g ‘13, Staff ‘13-’16) After three amazing years working as the Graphic Artist at PRBI, I decided it was time for a change. This fall I will be in Prince George, BC, starting my schooling to become an x-ray technician. I have spent the summer touring Europe, travelling throughout Alberta, and getting ready to be a student again. Thank you to everyone who had a part in making my years at PRBI so great!

WEDDINGS

BLATZ, Brian & Myrna (Martens, ug ‘84) were married on August 22, 2015. They are currently living in Winnipeg, MB. Brian works as a truck driver with T.E.A.M.S. and Myrna works as an Office Service Co-ordinator at Richardson International.

BROWN, James (ug ‘13 ) & Jenny (Klassen, ug ‘15) were married on April 6, 2016. They are enjoying married life and living in Sexsmith, AB. Jim is working for Spirit River Flooring and starting this fall Jenny will be working with Paquin taking school photos.

RAUGUST, Jesse(g ‘15) & Andrea (Braun, g ‘15) were married on July 23, 2016. They are living in Grande Prairie, AB. Jesse is working for Hallmark Homes as an apprentice carpenter and Andrea has left her current job and is excited to see where God will lead her next. They are enjoying their new life together; reading, walking, music and having friends over.

RITCHIE, Mason (g ‘14) & Janelle (Strydhorst, ug ‘13) were married on March 5, 2016. They are living in Grande Prairie, AB. Mason is attending GPRC this fall to continue his teaching degree and Janelle is working as an Ophthalmic Technician for Northern Alberta Eye Institute. They are loving the adventures of marriage and look forward to seeing what God has planned for them in the future.

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WITH THE LORD

IRWIN, Norman Bryan (former Adjunct Faculty and Staff) Norm died unexpectedly August 9, 2016, on Saltspring Island, B.C. Born August 8, 1938, in Timmins, ON, he grew up in London, ON. After high school he went on to university and graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Economics and was an officer in the RCAF reserve. In 1962 he was married to his high school sweetheart Dorothy Vowles, a registered nurse.

Norm served as Chief Financial Officer for Biltmore Industries and later for Compassion Canada where he had the opportunity to combine his skills with his passion for God and love of travel. A lifelong learner, Norm earned his Masters of Divinity in 1994 and taught at Peace River Bible College before settling in Saltspring Island, B.C. Norm generously donated his time and skills to numerous church, mission, and community organizations.

About PRBI About PRBI: PRBI is a Canadian Degree Granting Bible College in Sexsmith, Alberta, founded in 1933. PRBI is known for quality academics and its highly relational culture that purposefully fosters an atmosphere of spiritual growth. PRBI has a distinct commitment to train students in a thorough knowledge of the Word of God and to train students to become disciple-makers whether at home or abroad. PRBI’s educational model purposefully integrates the academic learning experience with an experiential learning component making us a Bible College for life.

Vision Statement: To train believers to become disciple-makers who know God, model His character, and are able to build into others the life-changing principles of God’s Word.

CONTACT US www.prbi.edu prbi@prbi.edu 780-568-3962

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The TRUMPET is the magazine of Peace River Bible Institute that is comprised of contributions from faculty, staff, alumni, and students who are passionate about making disciples in their churches and communities. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible (Copyright 1995 by The Lockman Foundation).

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